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I'm probably crazy, but could this just be the English soundtrack? I remember seeing a part of this movie a few years ago on IFC and hearing a song in German that I liked. When I rented the DVD, all the music in the movie was in English, so I just assumed they replaced the soundtrack with English songs. My memory could be a little off though.
This would explain why the song kind of didn't fit. I wonder if there was a better song in the German version.

It didn't bother me, but I did notice.
The cameras click.
We open up the lens and can't stop.

I felt it was clich and irritating.

ahh those damn Germans. First the Shrek-filmmakers used that Hallelujah song and I thought it was great. Then the German director Til Schweiger used it for "Barefoot". Must have liked it too. Now Weingrtner uses it for this movie. Arent there any other songs to use???? I mean, come on! Its not THAT good that you need to use it in 3 different movies.

At first I thought it hit the spot, but then it kept playing and playing after a while you just realise the film makers are using it to manipulate your emotions, and that cheapens the impact of the ending somewhat. [2]

Yes, it was rather a Hollywood sentimentality chich, for eg I saw Benjamin Button recently ( a v diff film I know!) but the overuse of sentimental music irritated me there too.
"These pretzels are making me THIRSTY!"

I'd agree Weingartner overused the track towards the end, almost as a crutch to remind us how sad all the unfolding events were supposed to be. At first I thought it hit the spot, but then it kept playing and playing after a while you just realise the film makers are using it to manipulate your emotions, and that cheapens the impact of the ending somewhat.
No, no. Psychopaths kill for no reason. I kill for money. It's a job. That didn't come out right.

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To be honest, I just found it really contrived. The rest was alright, just this last bit where you're clearly meant to hear the song and straightaway feel the mournful emotions that the characters are (oh so obviously) feeling. It's also been done before.

I noticed that as well, thought it was perfectly used the first time but was slightly odd bringing it back in right at the end, I thought it still worked but may have been better to use just a similar song instead.

It's a hipster song and this is a hipster film. There doesn't need to be a reason for them to use the song besides provoking the required sentimental emotions to end the film.
I know you are, you said you are, but what am I?

It's the same song.
Just because Jeff Buckley covers it differently doesn't alter anything.
Don't Care What The Governments Say
They're All Bought And Paid For Anyway

• Sun Green

This cover is a totally different song than Cohen's original. Cohen sang it mournfully, as a man on his knees lifting up hallelujahs in desperation. Not the same.

FYI It's a Leonard Cohen song, Jeff Buckley covered it.
Don't Care What The Governments Say
They're All Bought And Paid For Anyway

• Sun Green

Very much agreed
And YOU have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and YOUWILLATONE!

never heard of this movie until i saw it mentioned in my Jeff Buckley newsletter. someone wrote in to Mary's Mailbag (fyiMary is jeff's mom).
here's the letter and response
oopsie..

Dear Mary,
Jeff never came to my country Greece and I hadn't seen him on TV here. He came all his way down to Italy but never to my poor little Greece. I didn't hear of Jeff until I saw the German film called "Die Fetten Jahren Sind Vorbei". I thought to pass that on incase you didn't know. Thank God there are some film companies with some good taste in music.
Greetings from Thessaloniki, Greece and thank you for all you do !
Dina
Dear Dina:
I'm sure Jeff would have planned to visit your country, eventually. His maternal grandmother is 100% Greek and I have always promised myself to go there, one day. Thanks for telling us about the film. Film makers are supposed to ask permission to use artists' songs or recorded performances in their movies. That's one group that I think may have "forgotten" to ask.
All the best,
Mary

Yeah, I didn't really like the use of it in this movie.. It was used too much near the end. But yeah it's such a lovely dreamy song, and I don't think the movie had those qualitites so it seemed kind of misplaced.

I think they played it for a little too long. Like it when to an entirely different scene and it was still playing. It fit for the moment and it's a great song but yeah I agree it was overused.
I'm your stranger Jump!